Ranji Trophy 2017-18: 10 unknown names who excelled this season

#5 Rajneesh Gurbani, Vidarbha

Rajneesh Gurbani took 12 wickets against Karnataka in the semi-final

31 wickets at 16.67 in 5 matches

Another of those little-known names to shine for a lower-rated Vidarbha side, right-arm pacer Rajneesh Gurbani began his Ranji career only last season, though his List-A debut had a come a year earlier. In his very first season at the helm, Gurbani sowed the seeds of what was to come with 13 wickets at 25.77. But this year, he has more than double the scalps with 31 and at a further enhanced average of 16.67.

Gurbani, with his accuracy and pace, has now bagged four five-fors in his last five attempts, including two against a solid Karnataka line-up in the semi-final. With hauls of 5/94 and 7/68, he enabled Vidarbha to come from behind and go past one of the favourites of the tournament.

In the company of India pacer Umesh Yadav, Gurbani has learnt and executed plans to perfection, credit for which he majorly gives to former India cricketer and his coach at Vidarbha, Chandrakant Pandit.

#6 Harpreet Singh, Madhya Pradesh

629 runs at 69.89 in 7 matches

Left-handed middle-order bat Harpreet Singh was the only shining batsman from Madhya Pradesh's line-up, having played all seven matches of the season. Though they got knocked out in the quarter-final, Harpreet raked up a massive 629 runs averaging nearly 70 with two centuries and three half-centuries. He performed when it mattered the most: knocks of 107* and 78 in the last eight game against a Delhi bowling line-up boasting of an in-form Navdeep Saini and Kulwant Khejroliya.

Though that went in vain, Harpreet rounded off a season where the big names from his team – namely, Devendra Bundela and wicket-keeper batsman Naman Ojha – failed to accumulate important runs to push for a win and make it to the semi-final.